LIFE'S A PEARL

I didn’t have any hopefuls listed this month but I wasted no time diving into my summer tbr!

I also wanted to binge a few books from Kindle Unlimited while I had it.

Although since then I’ve discovered so many new authors to read on there as well as a ton of new KU romance recommendation sources that I’m tempted to keep the subscription.

KU and I have an interesting relationship. When I know I have it for a few months, I tend to set those books aside prioritizing my library checkouts instead. And then it winds up not getting used which feels like a “waste” of money.

Mostly though I’ve just had a hard time finding books I enjoy on there. That has changed recently after stumbling on several romance book tubers who have plenty of recommendations!

Every book that I’ve read so far this month has been off my summer tbr and available on KU besides my Dose of Romance Book Club pick – Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting. If you’re looking for KU ideas, Hunting does have a bunch of books on there. Her Pucked series is a favorite of mine!

Ok, let’s get back to the reading. There are a lot of books to cover and it’s only my mid month recap!

I wound up reading a book a day for the first half of the month. This was by accident but once I realized it, I wanted to see how long I could keep my streak going!

Here’s what I read in the first half of May.

Mid May Reading Recap:

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

Rating: 3 stars

Steam Level: 3

This is the first book in Ruby Dixon’s sci-fi romance series also titled Ice Planet Barbarians. It is one of the series I wanted try from my summer tbr, in case it led to another series reading binge similar to what I experienced last month with Kresley Cole’s IAD.

As of this posting all of the books are available on Kindle Unlimited. I’ve mostly been listening to the series on audio though through my library apps – Libby and Hoopla.

From goodreads:

“You’d think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to me. And you’d be wrong. Because now, the aliens are having ship trouble, and they’ve left their cargo of human women—including me—on an ice planet.

And the only native inhabitant I’ve met? He’s big, horned, blue, and really, really has a thing for me…”

My Thoughts

I was pretty “eh” on this book. The biggest thing it had going for it was the audio was only five and a half hours long and I enjoyed the narrator, Hollie Jackson, who tells the chapters from Georgie’s POV.

It was definitely more smut and even less plot than I was expecting. There is like no character or relationship development. To be honest, the steamy bits were not even my cup of tea.

I did continue with the series. I wanted to see if the books got better.

The first two books were released in sections as a six part serial and I wondered if the story structure changed once I read past those.

I had heard that an overall story develops as the humans fight to survive on this planet which intrigued me. The short audiobooks were also perfect for listening to in a day.

Other Books in the Series that I Read So Far this Month

• Barbarian Alien (3.5 stars)
• Barbarian Lover (4 stars)
• Barbarian Mine (4.5 stars)
• Barbarian’s Prize (4 stars)
• Barbarian’s Mate (3.5 stars)
• Barbarian’s Touch (3.5 stars)

General Thoughts on the Series

The series does get better as it goes. I enjoyed learning more about the planet they’re on and the Sa-khui way of life. I wish we were introduced to more secondary characters along the way because then I’d be a little more invested in seeing who gets a mate next.

So far there’s a bit of an overarching conflict through the series but not a lot of plot time is spent on it. Barbarian Lover was probably the most exciting book in terms of that.

I appreciate that the books change from the instalove version of fated mates into one where they know they’re mates but still have to work through various things to be together, falling in love along the way.

Barbarian’s Touch was quite a bit longer than the previous books and I found the second half pretty boring so we’ll see if I continue this series.

I do want to go back and read one of the novellas, Ice Planet Holiday, because I feel like I missed a bunch of information between book 4 and book 5. I will say the main books mixed with all of the novellas, short stories, and apparently spin off series can make the reading order of this universe confusing.

Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting

Rating: 4.5 stars

Steam Level: 2

After not loving last month’s romance pick, I put my faith in Helena Hunting for May’s Dose of Romance Book Club selection.

I previously loved her hockey romance series, Pucked, All In, her Clipped Wings series, and one of her standalone books, Meet Cute (4 stars).

From goodreads:

“Blaire Calloway has planned every Instagram-worthy moment of her cupcake and cocktails shop launch down to the tiniest detail. What she didn’t plan on? Ronan Knight and his old-school sports bar next door opening on the very same day. He may be super swoony, but Blaire hasn’t spent years obsessing over buttercream and bourbon to have him ruin her chance at success.

From axe throwing (his place) to frosting contests (hers), Blaire and Ronan are constantly trying to one-up each other in a battle to win new customers. But with every clash, there’s also an undeniable chemistry. When an even bigger threat to their business comes to town, they’re forced to call a temporary time-out on their own war and work together. And the more time Blaire spends getting to know the real Ronan, the more she wonders if it’s possible to have her cupcake and eat it too.”

My Thoughts

Thankfully Helena Hunting gave us a book club win!

While the spice level wasn’t anywhere near her sports romances (there’s only one scene that isn’t fade to black) the chemistry between Ronan and Blaire was so good! It really built up the anticipation for when they finally realize their feelings.

There was a touch of angst to this story and their banter was spot on!

The book had some really funny secondary characters and family moments. I almost wish Hunting had turned it into a series.

Not with Blaire’s family though. My jaw could not stop dropping in any chapters that featured her backstory. Ronan had so many sweet parts to his though. I loved the way his family history played out.

This book also featured healthy communication between the main characters. Especially when it came down to how Blaire handled things. There wasn’t a dramatic third act conflict.

The only thing I didn’t love was how wrapped up the story was with social media and influencers but I suppose it was fitting for the couple as business owners.

Puck Me Secretly by Odette Stone

Rating: 4.5 stars

Steam Level: 3.5

Recently finished with college, Rory Ashford is not happy to return to her home city of Vancouver where she’s made a deal to work for her father’s company for a year. She’s even less happy about the flight. Especially when it goes down.

Luckily the handsome stranger next to her keeps her from panicking and they survive. They go on to have a passionate night together until he leaves without saying a word.

Rory is determined to forget him until he shows up on her first day of work. Her father owns the Vancouver Wolves and wouldn’t you know it, bad boy Max Logan is their newest player…

My Thoughts

I have such mixed feelings on this book. Originally I gave it 4 stars but upon reflecting I really enjoyed it and remember my reading experience fondly!

The story was so over the top with the things that kept happening to Rory but I was also so there for it. If you can suspend your disbelief it’s a wild ride.

It felt more like a romantic suspense novel than a hockey romance.

Numerous secondary characters infuriated me on Rory’s behalf. Somehow I became very invested in this girl.

I wish more of Logan’s teammates were introduced so we could get to know the players featured in future books but this one was so action packed I can see where there wasn’t room for it.

It was a steamy propulsive read and the narration was fantastic as well!

Other Books in the Series that I Read So Far this Month

• Home Game (5 stars)
• The Penalty Box (4.5 stars)
• High Risk Rookie (4 stars)

General Thoughts on the Series

Somehow the series gets even more over the top as it continues. Although these are set in the sports world, there’s very little hockey. All of them read more like romantic suspense to me.

I loved the middle two books! Home Game surprised me as my favorite and The Penalty Box would have been up there but for one development I just couldn’t love.

I was really excited for book 4, High Risk Rookie (due to one of the main characters) but unfortunately I couldn’t quite suspend my disbelief enough to get fully onboard. It was a little bit of a disappointment. Still a fun read though.

Apparently there’s a fifth book coming out. I haven’t been able to find much about it besides a mention at the end of High Risk Rookie but I will be excited to read it when it releases!

I’m also considering giving her mafia romance series a try. That’s a subgenre I haven’t been interested in but the first book features a side character from The Penalty Box and I am curious!

Lovewrecked by Karina Halle

Rating: 2.5 stars

Steam Level: 2

After seeing this recommended as a beach read, I added it to my summer tbr.

Daisy Lewis is having a tough time of it. She recently lost her job, discovered her boyfriend was cheating on her, and now gets to attend her sister’s (whom she isn’t that close with) wedding in New Zealand alone.

To make matters worse, she pisses off the best man, Tai Wakefield, on arrival and then finds herself roped into sailing with him and the newlyweds to their Fijian honeymoon. Which promptly shipwrecks on a remote island.

My Thoughts

The premise of this book didn’t deliver for me. They aren’t shipwrecked until the half way point of the story. Neither Daisy or Tai did much to endear themselves to me in any of the scenes that come before.

There was a lot of telling rather than showing in the writing. If I hadn’t had the audiobook to go with it, I probably would have DNF’d this one.

I wasn’t invested in either main character enough to believe their love story or feel the chemistry between them on the island.

The tension between Daisy and her sister would have been interesting to explore adding further layers to their characters. Their issues never really played out though and as a result any resolution between them didn’t feel earned.

The best things about this one were the New Zealand references and the dual POV audiobook narrators.

I wish I’d gone with the second Karina Halle book I was considering, One Hot Italian Summer. I’ve heard enough great things that I might still check that one out.

That Second Chance by Meghan Quinn

Rating: 3.5 stars

Steam Level: 2

Meghan Quinn seems to be the queen of Kindle Unlimited romances. I enjoyed her short holiday story, Resting Scrooge Face (4 stars), back in December.

I knew I wanted to give a full length novel a go but it sure was intimidating to figure out where to start with her 100+ books! Many of her books have the read and listen feature on KU which is an awesome plus.

I honestly narrowed it down to this one because it was her highest rated first book in a series.

The Knightly brothers should be the most eligible bachelors in their hometown of Port Snow, Maine. However word has gotten around about a curse from years ago that makes them off limits to most of the locals.

New cross country transplant and teacher, Ren Winters, doesn’t know about the family history. When she literally crashes into town and is saved by the oldest Knightly brother, Griffin, the attraction is immediate.

Griffin is a widower though and still immersed in the guilt he feels surrounding the loss of his wife. As the two keep being thrown together by their small town they become friends and as sparks fly potentially more…

My Thoughts

I loved the location of this book. It gave me so many Bar Harbor flashbacks, even down to the fudge making (which was one of my jobs during the summers I worked there).

Maybe I’ve been reading too many paranormal romances but the way the curse originates in the beginning didn’t sit right with me.

Basically Griffin and his brothers were jerks which got his wife killed but now he gets to fall in love again?!? Once it becomes clear that the curse isn’t actually meant to be real that storyline worked much better for me.

Another issue I had was how it seemed like Griffin hadn’t grieved or processed his wife’s death at all before becoming involved with Ren.

Those things made the book feel a little long. Some of the insta fixes that come in at the end could have been explored throughout the first two-thirds of the story and been a lot more satisfying.

All in all though it was really cute! I loved the town and the brothers. The audio was also really fun with dual narrators for each POV.

Some of the shout-outs to other couples’ backstories made me wonder if the side characters were from other Meghan Quinn series. It’s a whole new universe to dive into!

Flawless by Elsie Silver

Rating: 4.5 stars 5 stars!

Steam Level: 4

UPDATE: I reread this book in July for A Dose of Romance Book Club and upped it to a 5 star read!

This series seems to be everywhere right now!

I for one never thought I’d be into cowboy romance but I’m so glad I gave this book a try. I plan to work my way through Elsie’s Silver “backlist” series, Gold Rush Ranch, after I finish this one.

Professional bull rider Rhett Eaton can’t believe one off-hand comment caught on camera is threatening to blow up the career he’s worked so hard for. To turn his image around and keep his remaining sponsors, he has no choice but to agree to Summer Hamilton accompanying him for the remainder of the championship circuit.

Playing babysitter to one of her father’s biggest clients wasn’t exactly what Summer had in mind when she went to law school. At first the boundaries they shouldn’t cross are no problem since they despise one another. But as they get to know and respect each other, it’s harder to fight their attraction. Not to mention the close quarters.

My Thoughts

It took me a couple of chapters to get into this one (probably because I didn’t have the audio), but then I was hooked! The backdrop being professional bull riding really upped the tension, sense of risk, and our badass cowboy hero.

The banter in this one was so good! As was the chemistry, the anticipation, and then the steam – Whew! 😅

Each chapter opens with a text conversation at the beginning and many of those exchanges had me laughing out loud!

The way these two challenge one another to grow was fantastic.

The only thing that kept it from being a 5 star was the third act conflict. In particular Summer’s actions felt completely out of character. Refusing to communicate to drag out the drama doesn’t work for me and this book took it way over the top. She almost lost me.

As you can see below, I loved the second book even more! I never knew a grumpy cowboy who’s also a single father could be so hot!

Other Books in the Series that I Read So Far this Month

• Heartless (5 stars)
• Powerless (currently reading 😍)
• Reckless (eagerly awaiting its release on June 9th!)

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What’s on your mid May reading recap? Do you have any KU romance recs to share?